Lawmaker proposes "Phoenix's Law"

ALBANY, N.Y. (WIVB) - A horrifying act of animal cruelty has a local lawmaker taking action.

In November, Buffalo Police Commissioner Daniel Derenda said, “No rhyme, no reason, despicable, that’s how I describe it.”

That was the reaction of Buffalo Police Commissioner Daniel Derenda after 17-year-old Diondre Brown and 19-year-old Adell Zeigler, both of Buffalo, were charged with felony aggravated cruelty to animals. Police say the two lit jack russell terrier “Phoenix” on fire in October.

New York State Assemblyman Sean Ryan is looking to add legislation called “Phoenix’s Law” which would double the penalty for felony animal cruelty. The law would double prison terms from two to four years, and raise fines from $5,000 to $10,000.

Ryan says this would bring New York State more in line with the rest of the country as far as punishment for felony animal cruelty.

If it serves as a deterrent, perhaps no one will have to witness a horrific scene like Mary Baldwin who saw Phoenix burning on that October day.

Mary Baldwin said, “I will never, ever, as long as I live, forget that. No, I won’t. I will not ever.”